Composition for hair and body application

ABSTRACT

The inventive compositions comprise in a deionized water base, a composition comprising: a preservative, a chelating agent; one or more moisturizer and hydrolyzed keratin protein; an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of citric acid and a vitamin E salt; and an emulsifier-water trap selected from the group consisting of cetearyl alcohol and glyceryl stearate; and PEG-40 castor oil. The composition, which is in liquid form, may be applied in the form of a spray or mist by dipping the affected area in the liquid or by pouring a small amount of the liquid onto the hair or body to be treated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/953,854 titled “Composition for Hair and Body Application” filed Dec. 10, 2007, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/253,968 titled “Compositions for Hair and Body Application” filed Oct. 19, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/522,603 titled “Grooming Products,” filed Oct. 19, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a composition and method for treating hair and skin and more particularly to a composition for application to hair for repairing damage to skin, nails and hair. Hair loss or alopecia is a common problem in both males and females regardless of their age. There are several types of hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, hair loss due to systemic medical problems, e.g., thyroid disease, adverse drug effects and nutritional deficiency states as well as hair loss due to scalp or hair trauma, discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planus and structural shaft abnormalities. (Hogan and Chamberlain, 2000). Of the above, androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss, affecting about 30% of individuals who have a strong family history of hair loss. (Bergfeld, 1988). Androgenetic alopecia is caused by three interdependent factors: male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), genetic disposition and advancing age. DHT causes hair follicles to degrade and further shrink in size, resulting in weak hairs. DHT also shortens the anagen phase of the hair follicle growing cycle. Over time, more hairs are shed and hairs become thinner. Possible options for the treatment of alopecia include reassurance, hair prostheses, surgery and topical/oral medications. (Hogan & Chamberlain, 2000; Bertolino, 1993; Setty, 1970). The most common pharmacological management of androgenetic alopecia is topical minoxidil and finasteride taken orally. The main problem with topical minoxidil therapy is patient compliance, although it has been shown to be effective in a few studies. (DeVillez et al, 1994; Trancik R J, 1998). On the other hand, oral finasteride is associated with significant adverse effects such as decreased libido, impotence and ejaculation disorders. (Chen et al, 1996).

In addition, there is a report by Goldman et al. (1996) which evaluates whether male pattern baldness is associated with a deficiency in oxygen supply to body tissue. The results indicate that penetration of oxygen was lower in the bald frontal scalp than in hair-bearing temporal scalp area. As such, good blood supply to the scalp is essential to maintain normal cycle of hair growth.

Significant attention is devoted in the art to providing proper skin care including nutrients to through lotions and creams, yet little or no attention is devoted to the follicles, which feed the hair. Indeed, scant devotion is afforded the scalp and its particular nutritional needs. The present invention fulfills this need through providing beneficial tocopherol, a valuable anti-oxidant, castor oil a moisturizing and therapeutic oil, and keratin to promote simultaneously the healing of damaged hair including hair follicles and generation of new hair growth.

Keratin is the protein hair is made of and may be essential for proper growth and strength of new hair. Castor oil is a thick oil which assists the scalp and hair in water retention, thereby increasing hair and scalp health and vitality.

Vitamin E, tocopheryl acetate, is a potent anti-oxidant and has been found useful in combating many health problems. While there was a report of the beneficial effects of vitamin E in hair care products (Shipp, 1994), its potential in the restoration of hair growth has yet to be explored.

Accordingly, there is a need for a composition which combines a tocopherol e.g., a Vitamin E and a castor oil to promote hair growth and health of the hair and the scalp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide compositions that impart benefits such as moisturizing and repair to hair and scalp and other body areas to which they are applied. In an exemplary embodiment, the inventive compositions comprise a deionized water base of weight percent ranging from 55% to 95.7%, 0.30 to 0.35 weight percent of one or more preservatives selected from the group consisting of DMDM hydantoin, methylparaben, and polyparaben, 0.05 to 0.10 weight percent of a chelating agent, 0.001 to 5.05 weight percent of one or more conditioners and/or moisturizers selected from the group consisting of polyquaternium-10, polyethylene glycol derivative of lanolin, cetrimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, Crotein HKPTM, mixed mucopolysaccharides, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, propylene glycol, hydrolyzed keratin protein, Aloe vera powder, 0.05 to 0.15 weight percent of an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of citric acid and vitamin E acetate and a heavy oil such as castor oil. Further embodiments of the inventive composition include one or more anti-inflammatory agents, one or more antiseptics, stabilisers and emulsifiers. The composition, which is in liquid form, may be applied in the form of a spray or mist directly to the hair and scalp, or by pouring a small amount of the liquid into the hand for application or directly onto the affected area, such as the hair and scalp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects are achieved by a hair treatment product for protecting hair against damage secondary to heat drying, against environmental influences and hair treatments as well as for protecting other components of hair against oxidation and degradation, said hair treatment product comprising in an aqueous phase a mixture of (a) castor oil and (b) oil-soluble tocopherols, both components having an affinity to hair. Many additional ingredients may be included as is known in the art of hair care, including the following: Stearalkonium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panthenol, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, 10 Tetrasodium EDTA and perhaps a fragrance.

Example 1

% BY CHEMICAL PROPOSED FUNCTION WEIGHT Water  80-99 Vitamin E Antioxidant/protectant/conditioner 0.15-10 Castor Oil Water- retainer/protectant  0.2-3.0 Stearalkonium Chloride Conditioner/anti-static  2.0-10 PEG-40 Castor Oil Emulsifier/conditioner 0.2-5 Hydrolyzed Keratin Hair protein  0.2-3.0 EDTA Tetrasodium Salt Chelating agent 0.1-2 Methyl/Propylparaben Preservative 0.1-3 Panthenol Emulsifier/surfactant 0.1-4 Glycerol Stearate Moisturizer  0.1-10 Cetearyl Alcohol Emulsifier/surfactant 0.1-5 Cetrimonium Chloride Emulsifier/surfactant 0.1-5

Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, from which the name is derived. Common parabens include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts. The general chemical structure of a paraben is depicted as chemical structure I, with R representing an alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl.

Natural vitamin E exists in eight different forms, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. All feature a chromanol ring, with a hydroxyl group that can donate a hydrogen atom to reduce free radicals and a hydrophobic side chain which allows for penetration into biological membranes. Both the tocopherols and tocotrienols occur in alpha, beta, gamma and delta forms, determined by the number of methyl groups on the chromanol ring. Each form has slightly different biological activity.

α-Tocopherol

α-tocopherol is traditionally recognized as the most biological antioxidant in humans. The measurement of “vitamin E” activity in international units (IU) was based on fertility enhancement by the prevention of spontaneous abortions in pregnant rats relative to α-tocopherol. It increases naturally to about 150% of normal in the maternal circulation during human pregnancies.

Other R, R, R Tocopherols

The other R, R, R tocopherol vitamins are slowly being recognized as research begins to elucidate their additional roles in the human body. Many naturopathic and orthomolecular medicine advocates suggest that vitamin E supplements contain at least 20% by weight of the other natural vitamin E isomers. According to the present invention, the term “Vitamin E salt” shall be understood to comprise all tocopherol isomers, whether natural or unnatural, in any combination and any organic or inorganic salt.

Castor Oil shall be understood to include chemicals according to the structure:

including isomers, racimates and salts.

Castor Oil is unique among all fats and oils in that:

-   -   it is the only source of an 18-carbon hydroxylated fatty acid         with one double bond;     -   ricinoleic acid (12-Hydroxyoleic Acid) comprises approximately         90% of the fatty acid composition;     -   product uniformity and consistency are relatively high for 5 a         naturally occurring material;     -   it is a nontoxic, biodegradable, renewable resource. The         remarkably constant composition of castor oil fatty acids is         shown below:

The hydroxyl groups in castor oil account for a unique combination of physical properties:

-   -   Relatively high viscosity and specific gravity;     -   Solubility in alcohols in any proportion;     -   Limited solubility in aliphatic petroleum solvents.

The uniformity and reliability of its physical properties are demonstrated by the long-term use of castor oil as an absolute standard for viscosity. Because of its higher polar hydroxyl groups, castor oil is not only compatible with but will plasticize a wide variety of natural and synthetic resins, waxes, polymers and elastomers. Castor Oil also has excellent emollient and lubricating properties as well as a marked ability to wet and disperse dyes, pigments and fillers. In the form of its chemical derivatives, castor oil's application versatility is further enhanced.

Name of Reaction Added Reactants Type of Products Ester Linkage Hydrolysis Acid, enzyme, or Twitchell Fatty acids, glycerol reagent catalyst Esterification Monohydric alcohols Esters Alcoholysis Glycerol, glycols, Mono- and Diglycerides, pentaerythritol, etc. monoglycerols, etc. Saponification Alkalies, alkalies plus Soluble soaps, insoluble soaps metallic salts Reduction Na reduction Alcohols Amidation Alkyl amines, Amine slats, amides alkanolamines, etc. Halogenation SOCl₂ Fatty Acid Halogens Double Bond Oxidation, Polymerization Heat, Oxygen, Crosslink Polymerized oils agent Hydrogenation Hydrogen (moderate Hydroxystearates pressure) Epoxidation Hydrogen peroxide Epoxidized oils Halogenation Cl₂, Br₂, I₂ Halogenated oils Addition Reactions S, Maleic acid Polymerized oils Sulfonation H₂SO₄ Sulfonated oils Hydroxyl Group Dehydration Catalyst (plus heat) Dehydrated castor oils Hydrolysis, distillation Octadecadienoic acid Caustic fusion NaOH Sebacic acid, capryl alcohol Pyrolysis High heat Undecylenic acids, heptaldehyde Halogenation PCl₅, POCl₄ Halogenated castor oils Alkoxylation Ethylene and/or propylene Alkoxylated castor oils oxide Esterification Acetic-, phosphoric-, Alkyl and alkylaryl esters, maleic-, phthalic anhydrides phosphate esters Sulfation H₂SO₄ Sulfated castor oil (Turkey red oil) Urethane reactions Isocyanates Urethane polymers

Another embodiment of the present invention, the formula for which is provided in Example 2 below, is a rebuilder that may be used on humans as well as horses and other domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. In humans, the rebuilder makes the hair thirty percent stronger so that less hair falls out and the hair will be thicker and fuller. The present invention has been used by chemotherapy patients and by people who are experiencing hair loss due to high blood pressure medication. The present invention has been found to make finger nails thirty percent stronger, and may be used as a moisturizer for dry, calloused hands. In pets, the rebuilder strengthens and repairs dry, damaged coats and cracked paw pads, and corrects the structure of weakened, dry damaged coats and paw pads. The rebuilder stimulates and promotes rapid hair and paw pad repair without the use of silicone, synthetic polymers or petroleum-based products. The rebuilder binds protein to the coat, returning elasticity and restoring strength, removing damaging toxins, medications, and chemical residues. It detangles severely matted hair and is safe to use on dry noses. In horses, it strengthens hair so the mane and tail won't break off easily and it makes the hair healthier and stronger. It also makes hooves grow from 10% to 50% faster and them 30% stronger. Sand cracks are reduced, quarter cracks heal faster, and shoes hold better. The composition is especially helpful for treating shelly-footed horses. The rebuilder is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.

The composition of the present invention may also contain as adjuvant materials various substances, such as vitamins, lanolin or its derivatives, bactericides, plant extracts, coloring agents, perfumes, thickeners, buffers, surface active agents and sequestering agents.

Example 2

A composition for rebuilding or repairing tissue, such as hair, skin or nails, or horse's hooves is prepared by mixing the following formulation which is created in two phases: oil and water, which are then combined to produce 250 gallons of liquid.

% By Chemical Function Quantity Weight Water Phase Deionized water Carrier 204 gallons/1700 lbs  81.4 Methylparaben Preservative 2.1 lbs 0.10 Versene ® Chelating agent 2.1 lbs 0.10 Stearalkonium Conditioner/ 177.5 lbs 8.50 Chloride anti-static Cetrimonium Chloride Conditioner 20.9 lbs 1.00 Oil Phase Cetearyl Alcohol Emulsifier 52.2 lbs 2.50 Glyceryl Stearate Emulsifier 73.1 lbs 3.50 PEG-40 Castor Oil Emulsifier 31.3 lbs 1.50 Propylparaben Preservative 1 lbs 0.05 Vitamin E Acetate Antioxidant 3.1 lbs 0.05 Panthenol Vitamin 4.2 lbs 0.20 Hydrolyzed keratin Protein 6.2 lbs 0.30 protein DMDM Hydantoin Preservative 4.2 lbs 0.2 Coconut Fragrance Fragrance 10.4 lbs 0.50 Pineapple Fragrance Fragrance Total Volume/Weight 250 gallons/2,088 lbs Versene ® is tetrasodium EDTA, a chelating agent that is commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI. PEG-40 Castor Oil is a castor oil derivative and an emulsifier from a number of chemical suppliers including Lambert Technologies Corp., Gurnee, IL.

While the invention has been described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, such embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but, is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A method of repairing damage to a mammalian subject's hair, skin, nails or hooves comprising application of a composition comprising a water phase and an oil phase, wherein the water phase comprises; (a) preservative; (b) a chelating agent; (c) a conditioner or moisturizer; and (d) an antioxidant to the subject's hair, skin, nails, or hooves.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the oil phase comprises PEG-40 castor oil.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditioner is stearalkonium chloride, centrimonium chloride, or combinations thereof.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the conditioner based on at least one protein or amino acid.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one protein or amino acid comprises hydrolyzed keratin protein.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of DMDM (dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione) hydantoin and an alkylparaben or combinations thereof.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the alkylparaben is a methylparaben and/or a propylparaben.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the antioxidant is vitamin E, and its derivatives.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an emulsifier.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the emulsifier is glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol or combinations thereof.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a fragrance.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the mammalian subject is selected from the group consisting of a human, cat, dog or horse.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of a sprayable liquid, a wipe, a cream or lotion.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at strengthening hair.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at promoting hair growth.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at detangling hair.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at strengthening nails.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at promoting nail growth.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at repairing dry calloused skin.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at repairing the coat of an animal.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at repairing cracked paws of an animal.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at promoting the growth of the hooves of a horse.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at strengthening the hooves of a horse.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is effective at treating shelly feet condition in horses.
 25. A method of repairing damage to a mammalian subject's hair, skin, nails, or hooves comprising application of a composition comprising (a) castor oil and (b) one or more oil-soluble tocopherols to the subject's hair, skin, nail, or hooves.
 26. A method of treating a mammalian subject's hair, skin or nails comprising application of a composition comprising (a) castor oil and (b) one or more oil-soluble tocopherols to the subject's hair, skin, nails or hooves.
 27. A method of generating new growth of a mammalian subject's hair, skin, nails, or hooves comprising application of a composition comprising (a) castor oil and (b) one or more oil-soluble tocopherols to the subject's hair, skin, nails or hooves.
 28. A method of strengthening a mammalian subject's hair, skin, nails, or hooves comprising application of a composition comprising (a) castor oil and (b) one or more oil-soluble tocopherols to the subject's hair skin, nails, or hooves.
 29. A kit for promoting the health of a human subject's hair comprising: a) a shampoo for cleaning the hair; b) the composition of claim 1; and c) a hair conditioner.
 30. A kit for promoting the health of a human subject's hair comprising: a) a shampoo for cleaning the hair; b) the composition of claim 27; and c) a hair conditioner. 